Repertoire Scandinavian.

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bd2 c6
basic position

1.e4 d5 2.exd
• 2.Nf3(?!) Tennison gambit →...dxe and then after Ng4, Bf5 and not Nf6 (Bauer) p.7
• 2.e5 →...c5 (Bauer gives a sharp, complicated gambit line Bb5+h3+g4+e6+Ne5, suggesting that to avoid it you play ...a6, but
BxNf3 after h3 is good enough) p.7 tabiya8
• 2.Nc3 →...d4 (Martin does not examine it). e5+Be6+f6 p.6
• 2.d4 (Blackmar-Diemar gambit) dxe+Nf6+Bf5(-g6, defending f7, after opening the f file) p. 8
• d3 (Martin does not examine it), exd leads to an early endgame, ( Nf6, or ...Nc6, ...or ...g6 is livelier) eg:
3. dxe4 Qxd1 4. Kxd1 Nf6 5. f3 e5 6. Be3 Be6 7. Nd2 Nbd7 8. Bc4  Bc5   or
4. Kxd1 e5 5. Be3 Be6 6. Nd2 Nd7 7. c3  O-O-O   
2...Qxd 3.Nc3
• 3.d4 → e5 with complicated variations, p.
• 3.Nf3 tabiya4 (p. 4) → Nf6+Bg4-h5+Qd8-c8+0-0+Nbd7+(c5 or c6)-
• 3.Qf3 →…Nf6
3...Qa5 4.d4
• 4.b4 (Mieses gambit) Qxb+Qd6+a6! (after d4 that threatens Bf4)+waiting the white Bishop: if Bc4 then ...e6+Be7+b5+Bb7 , if Bd3
then ...g6+Bg7, if g3!?+Bg2 then ...b6+Bb7 with some initiative for the pawn p.8
• 4.g3 →...Bd7-c6+Qh5+a6 p.10
• Nf3 (+Be2, and after ...Bg4 then b4+b5) →declines with Qb6
• 4.f4 (Bangiev’s move) Nf6 5.Nf3 Bf5 6.Bc4 e6 7.d3 c6 8.0-0 Be7 9.Ne5 h5! 10.Qe2 Nbd7 11.Bd2 Qc7 12.Rae1 NxNe5 13.Qxe5 0-
0-0 (=) Martin-Wahls. There is another set up with g6+Bg2 p.8
• 4.Nf3(+d3 without Bc4) → Bg4 or ...g6+Bg7
• 4.Bc4+Bd2+Nf3-e5+Qe2(+0-0-0) Short’s system→ c6+Qc7 (after Bd2) or Bf5 (after Qe2). Black must be aware of the pawn storm
at the kingside. Another system is (after Bc4+Bd2) Nge2-g3+f4+Rf1. Black plays Qc7+Bg4+Bd6 and sees if f5 is dangerous. A
third system is with Qe2+Nf3+0-0 and black may double fianchetto both his Bishops. !!!
4...Nf6 5.Nf3
• 5.Bc4 (+d3) →...c5+Bb7+Qd8 or if Nge2 then...g6, or Nf3 then ...Bg4+…Qh4 tabiya6 p.5 !!!
• 5.Bd2 → normal development, transposes to others (if 4...c6, the lack of Nf3 permits g4, so 5...Nf6). p.10 (caution! Dangerous, if
4...Nf6 then 5...Bf5? 6.Qf3! +/-)
Bauer prefers Qb6+Bg4 with a lot of possibilities (but with 4...Nf6 instead of ...c6). Martin does not give special attention. Emms
says that is likely to transpose in main lines, recommending in some lines Qb6.
• 5.d3 (prior to Bc4) can safely play g6+Bg7+Nc6

5...Bf5 6.Bc4
• 6.Ne5 →...Be6 (+...g6) p.9
• 6.Bd2 →...various !!! p.10
• 6.Bd3 →...Bg4-h5-g6 with equality p.10
• 6.Be2+Bf4→ normal development
6...e6 7.Bd2
• 7.Ne5 with the idea (g4+h4 or f4) tabiya5 (p.9)
• 7.0-0 →...e6 and ...0-0 or ...0-0-0 tabiya7 (p.5)
8.Qe2
• 8.Nd5 (Ne4) →...Qd8 tabiya3 (p.3)

8...Bb4
• 9.0-0 tabiya1
• 9.0-0-0 tabiya2
• 9.Ne5 Nbd7! (9...0-0 ? early castling into a pawn storm)

general ideas

1. the attacking plans for white are

1. d4-d5 (when Black is uncastled)
2. f2-f4-f5 (after Nge2-g3+d3)
3. g2-g4-g5 (after Ne5).
4. sacrifice on e6, usually with the Bishop
5. b4+queen-side expansion
6. move the Nc3 and c4
7. even b2-b4 sometimes is good. Although Mieses gambit is unsound, a later b4 may be dangerous, activating the Rook or a Bishop
at g2.

2. for black the counter-play comes:

if castles short from ‘d’ file, (sometimes with the c6-c5 breakthrough. ), or the ...a5+...b5 (queen-side). If castles long usually has a king-side
attack, or play along ‘h’ file
✔ Light square strategy and flexibility in castling. The ...Bb4 and BxNc3 maneuver increases control over light squares. Black can
secure d5 square with ...b5. Abandonment of the 2 bishops, usually and the second bishop as well.
✔ 3. Nc3 prevents c4 so a knight move (Ne2-g3, or even Nd1-d3) is often seen.
✔ white’s and black’s main set up is easy to achieve.
✔ to prevent d5 is crucial when black king is uncastled. That is 8...Bb4 after 8.Qe2 so important.
✔ d4 leaves Nc3 pinned-so often Nc3 moves either to Ne4, Nd5, Ne2-g3, Nd1-e3. So black can catch up in development.
✔ the only question of black’s set up is where to put the black-squared bishop (normally e7 or b4, g6, d6 sometimes is risky due to
Ne4, except when white plays Bf4 to harass Qc7)
✔ the ...c6 not only provides an escape route for the Queen, but prevents ideas of Bf4+Nb5, made possible by the absent of a pawn
at e5.
✔ Some variations are treated differently whether 4...c6 or 4...Nf6 is played, for example 5.Bd2
✔ if 8.Qe2 then ...Bb4 is good (preventing 9.d5!), albeit the weaknesses at the black squares.
✔ Martin suggests a specific move order c6+Bf5+e6+Nd7+Bb4+Ngf6 (a delayed Nf6, Bauer’s term). What is the point?? there are
some corresponding moves: d4 and c6, Nf3 and Nf6, Bc4 and Bf5, Bd2 and Qc7, Qe2 and Bb4. If the move order is disturbed then
there must be employed other schemes, eg d3 and c5 or g6.
✔ if d3+Nge2 Martin suggests ...g6, and if d3+Bc4+Nf3 suggests Bg4+Qh5
✔ This is surely a light-squared opening, so much will depend upon the effective development of the Bc8. White controls more space,
so Black should seek exchanges to ensure more breathing space. The fight will mainly revolve around the two important squares
d5 and e5. The d4 pawn could become a target to attack – directly, or with the breakthrough ...c6-c5 (or even ...e6-e5). Endings
are rarely better for White if nothing really catastrophic had happened to black’s pawn formation.
✔ There is ...Bg4 as a surprise weapon as well: 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. h3 Bxf3 7. Qxf3  c6    with 8.Bd2
or 8.Bc4 ??

Tabiya 1

8.Qe2 (permits 8...Bb4, Martin and Emms consider it the main line). White may castle long or short, before or after a3, 0-0-0 is the main line.

Black must be aware of the g4 thrust

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bd2 c6 8. Qe2 Bb4 
• 9. a3 Nbd7 10. O-O (most seen in club level, before or after a3) Bxc3 11. Bxc3 Qc7 12. Rfe1 (or 12. Ne5, or 12.b4 or 12.Nh4)   O-
O   

r4rk1/ppqn1ppp/2p1pn2/5b2/2BP4/P1B2N2/1PP1QPPP/R3R1K1 w - - 0 13

imbalances: 2 bishops+space versus light-square grip (d5 +...b5+...a5) and ‘d’ file.
Weaknesses: d6, (e6), b2, e4, after c3 the light squares, especially b3, (h2)
piece activity:Nd5 is no worse than Bc3, and Bf5 is equal to Bc4. Ne5 usually is exchanged with Nd7, Qc7 is equal to Qe2 (or slightly better).
Rd8 is better than Re1 or Rd8.

Black’s goals: a) speedy development and castling long or short. b) command of the light squares d5, e4, c4
usual plan ...a5+...b5.-+...Nd5.Command of the light squares (d5, e4, c4). Possible c5 and pressure along the d file with one or two rooks.
Re8+e5, Rd8+Rc8, h6 (to preserve Bf5, possible not necessary), Ne4 (possible NxBc3).
white has space so black exchanges pieces.
Black must be on alert against d5 or g4.
• Possible white maneuvering : Ne5 (threatening g4, or obtaining an edge e5) NxN dxN , Bb4-d6
or c4+b4, or a4-a5, or king-side pawn advance (g4+f4), Nh4 (xBg6), Bd3 or Bb3, f3+Bc3-e1-g3, Ne5+f4, Rc1(?), Rd1+Bd3+RxB. Rook lift
and kingside pressure.
Against Nh4 better is ...Be4-d5+b5 and not Bg6, or even Nbd7.
• White in club level tries to attack, compromising his position (weakness)
• possible breakthroughs: white f2-f4-f5 and c2-c4+d5, or b2-b4+c2-c4+b5
 : black ...e5 is out of question, so ...c5, but is not always desirable as white has the 2 bishops. In some
positions with a Nd7 is useful.
• typical black maneuvering: Nf6-d5-f4 (depriving the 2 bishops), Ne4 (after Ne5 threatens NxN), Nd7-f8-g6 (this i never
consider it)

sometimes the white black-colored Bishop has some tactical opportunities (Sklavounou-Politis, or Bb4 and prevent black from castling)

what are the differences with tabiya 5 ?? usually they come to the same thing ??

tabiya 2

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 c6 6. Bc4 Bf5 7. Bd2 e6 8. Qe2 Bb4 
• 9. O-O-O Nbd7 10. a3 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 Qc7 12. Ne5  (or ...b5!?) Nxe5 13. dxe5 Nd514. Bd2 O-O-
O 15. g4 Bg6 16. f4 h5 17. h3 Qb6 18. Rhf1 hxg4 19. hxg4 Qc5 20. Bb3 Rh3 21. Rf3 Rdh8 22. Rdf1 Rh2 23. Qe1 R8h3 24. f5 Rxf
3 25.  Rxf3  

2k5/pp3pp1/2p1p1b1/2qnPP2/6P1/PB3R2/1PPB3r/2K1Q3 b - - 0 25

Martins call it main line of the main line.

Both long castling (but Black has the option of short castling),
‘h’ file +Qb6-c5 or d4

illustrative game: Zlatic (2450) vs. Savic (2514)

and Psakhis-Wahls, 1992.

or even better 12...b5 and the maneuver ...Be4-d5, with total control of white squares.

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bd2 c6 8. Qe2 Bb4 9. O-O-ONbd7 10. a3 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 Qc7 12. Ne5 b
5 13. Bb3 (or Bd3 and if BxB brings the Rook on the third, and if 13...0-0 14.BxB exB 15.Qf3 with some tactics)
Be4 14. Nxd7 Qxd7 15. Bb4 Bd5 16. Bxd5Qxd5 17. Qe5  O-O-O   

https://www.365chess.com/view_game.php?g=2968939
Pavlogianni-Makropoulou, 2004

or
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 Bf5 6. Bc4 e6 7. Bd2 c6 8. Qe2 Bb4 9. O-O-ONbd7 10. a3 Bxc3 11. Bxc3 Qc7 12. Ne5 b
5 13. Bd3 O-O 14. Bxf5 exf5 15. Qf3 Nd5 16. Qxf5Nxc3 17. Nxd7 Nxd1 18. Nxf8 Rxf8 19. Rxd1  Qxh2   
https://www.365chess.com/view_game.php?g=137367&m=40

Brynell-Hodgson (2001)

tabiya 3

8.Nd5 (the critical variation-Bauer, long castling)

(Martin says you must remember the exact lines, otherwise is danger! But black has active play on the king-side, but also with ...c6-c5 )
White wants to exchange his poor Nc3 for the active Nf6.

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 c6 6. Bd2 Bf5 7. Bc4 e6 8. Nd5 Qd8 9. Nxf6 gxf6 10. Bb3 (10.c3 10.Bf4)
Nd7 11. Qe2 Qc7 12. Nh4 Bg6 13. O-O-O O-O-O14. 
The analysis must stop here, from where white has various plans:
• f4 → f5+Nd7-f6-e4+Bh5
 • Bf4 → Bd6
• g3+Ng2+Bf4 or Nf4
• g3 Bd6 15. Nxg6 hxg6 16. h4 f5 17. Bg5 Rde8 18. h5 gxh5 19.  Rxh5   

2k1r2r/ppqn1p2/2pbp3/5pBR/3P4/1B4P1/PPP1QP2/2KR4 b - - 0 19

black has play on both wings. ...c5, or/and along the ‘h’ file
imbalances: white can create a passer on ‘h’,
breakthroughs: ...c5
typical maneuvering: Qa5,
if f4 then f5+Nd7-f6-e4+Bh5
white may play Bb3 or c3 as prophylaxis
illustrative game: Saric (2463) vs. Savic (2533)
or Perunovic-Savic

11.Nh5 Bg6 12.Qf3 Qc7

crucial ...f4, exploiting the battery B+Q, weakening the pawns at the kingside.
Theater: kingside, but sometimes ...c5 and queen-side activity

➢ 8.Nd5 (short castling)

8.Nd5 Qd8 9.NxN gxN 10.0-0 Nd7

and white is better according to Stockfish.
Martin does not even consider it (!)
Bauer examines only the line of the game Sutovsky-Ivanchuk (2006) 11.Re1 Qc7 12.d5 cxd5 13.Bxd5 0-0-0 14.Be4 Bg6 15.Qe2 Bd6 16.Bc3
f5! (exchange sacrifice) 17.Bd3 Rg8 with counter-play. But d5 is not the best continuation.

Another option is Bg7+0-0 with a safe position. Gharamian-Bauer (2016), https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=3985257

Bauer is an expert on Scandinavian so his approach must be correct.

➢ The alternative 8.Ne4 Qd8?! permits 9.Ng3! Bg6 (Bg4 is safer) 10.h4! And black faces some problems (Bauer). Svidler-Oll, 1996
But 8...Qc7 is ok and 8...Qb6 pressuring the d4+b2 pawns is more challenging, but complicated (Bauer).
8.Ne4 Qc7 9.NxN gxN 10.Qe2 (or 10.Nh4 Bg6 11.f4 f5! 12.Qe2 Be7) Nbd7 (Bxc2 is not safe) 11.0-0-0 0-0-0 12.Nh4 Bg6 13.Bb3
c5!? Or 13...Bd6, or 13...Nb6

3. Nf3 Nf6 (Martin’s suggestion, with the idea ...c7-c5, so not ...c6). But ...c6 id playable tabiya 4

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. d4 Bg4 5. Be2 e6 6. h3 Bh5 7. O-O Qd8 8. c4 Be7 9. Qb3 Qc8 10. Nc3  O-O  

rnq2rk1/ppp1bppp/4pn2/7b/2PP4/1QN2N1P/PP2BPP1/R1B2RK1 w - - 0 11
evaluation
white is better, but if overestimates his chances offer black good chances. c4 is played prior to Nc3, so the thrust d5 is in the air, possibly
leading to an IQP. Black is better prepared to face it with Rd8 (or Re8 to protect the Βe7), a6 (to prevent Nb5 after Bd6)
imbalances:white space, different semi-open files
weaknesses:d4, c7
pieces: white’s Queen is more active, black’s Bh5 occupy 2 white’s minor pieces
plans as described below.

• a6 has 2 points: ...Bd6 (after d5 exd, cxd) without fear of Nb5, and possible ...b5
• White will play Be2, d4, Qb3 and c4. The dark-square Bishop will go to e3 or to f4. Rf-e1+Ra-d1. Typical plans:
a) d5, provoked by ...c5, or unprovoked, may result to an IQP position.
b) Ne5+dxe space and kingside maneuvering
c) g4+Rfd1+Rac1
d) g4+0-0-0
e) rook lift to 3rd rank and kingside initiative
f) a3+b4 without Qb3→c6+Qc7, or a5

• Black will play Bg4, e6, Be7(d6), 0-0 , Nbd7 (leaving c free to advance), and possibly c5 (c6). His Queen will retreat to d8 and then
to c8. Rfe8 (why not to d8? Because after d5 Be7 must be protected)

Rowson-Martin, 2002
Ferguson-Martin, 2003
https://lichess.org/lFE8z6G8/black (Vonthron-Beck, 2010)

Tabiya 7

7.0-0 (often played, eg Sklavounou, aka the main line in Corfu) or more often 8.0-0 (after Ne5 or after Bd2)

rn2kb1r/pp3ppp/2p1pn2/q4b2/2BP4/2N2N2/PPP2PPP/R1BQ1RK1 w kq - 0 8

7….Nbd7 8.Re1 (or Qe2, or Ne5+NxN ) Bb4 9.Bd2 0-0 10. a3 Bxc3 11.BxB Qc7

Black: Bb4+Nbd7+Qc7+0-0 and pressure on d5 with Rfd8+c5-also b5+a5 is good

(alternatively ...0-0-0, the most common, if there is a hook on h3, or open h file, with lively game)

as in Yu-Wahls, 1993)

typical maneuvering:
 • Ne5 NxN, Rxe Qc7 (threatening ...Ng4), or dxe Ng4. (that’s why h3)

• Nc3-d1-e3 to harass Bf5 and free the advance of c pawn or Ne2-g3

• Nh4xg6 or Ne5-c4

• f3+Be1-f2(-g3 to harass Qc7)

• d5 (if prematurely then...Qc5+Nxc6+0-0-0 )

• king pawn’s advances (usually after Ne5) to harass the Bishop (g4+f4 or h4). Black usually responds with Be4. After f3 there is a
tactical point ...Bd5 and the f pawn is pinned, allowing ...Nxg4.

• Black’s plans: 0-0-0 (if there is something like h3), or 0-0+c5, or b5+a5

➢ if 0-0 is played in 8th move (after Bd2) then 8...Bb4 (or ...Qc7 retaining the dark square bishop) 9.Ne5 Nbd7 10.Qe2 0-0 (or NxN,
Solozhenkin – Bagirov, Jyvaskyla 1994) 11.Bb3 (11.a3 Grischuk – Rozanov, Moscow 1995) Ra-d8 with a typical Scandinavian
middle-game.

Bauer’s assessment: The various alternatives presented in this chapter are not bad, but they are not as critical as the options covered in the
first two chapters (early Knight to d5 or 8.Qe2). Black should not be afraid of his bishop being exchanged by Nh4xg6. Indeed, whether he
obtains attacking prospects along the h-file or simply a solid position, in both cases chances will be shared after the recapture . . . hxg6.

4.Bc4+5.d3 (Short system)

Bauer: introduces a rather aggressive and flexible system. White will usually continue with a quick Bd2 followed by Qe2 and 0-0-0,
although short castling can sometimes be considered too. The first player enjoys maximal flexibility with his king-side pieces; thus he might
play f4 followed by Nf3, or alternatively Nf3 or Nge2 without touching the f-pawn. On the other hand the black queen will tend to be in less
danger after the usual Bd2. tabiya 6

Bd3 may be a subject of attack, say b5+Nd7-c5.

Bauer only considers 5...c6 or 5...Bg4. Martin only ...c6. Stockfish ...a6. Ris 5...Bg4 6.f3 Bd7 7.Bd2 Qb6 8.Qe2 Nc6, aiming Nd4 (but I feel
rather uncomfortable without a retreat route for the Queen).

Bc4+d3 ...c5+Nc6+b6+Bb7 (white’s one plan is Bd2+Qe2+0-0-0, or f2-f4-f5, or Nge2-g3). Alternatively the Bishop can go to c6 via
Nc6-d4+Bd7-c6.

• g6 doesn’t combine with Bf5, as the bishop may be trapped after e6 (which is compulsory after Re1+Qe2)

(Martin suggests otherwise: if 6.Nge2→ ...g6+Bg7+...e6+...b6+...Bb7, if 6.Nf3→ Bg4+Qh4, and if 6.Bd2 then Qc7, line that may be the main
in my database. White intends Qe2+0-0-0)

d3 allows ...c5 instead of c6, and so Nc6 instead of Nde7, and an early e6 as B will be employed at b7 (very good in comparison to variations
with Bf5-g6). The queen retreats to d8 because at c7 will be attacked by Nb5. If ...a6 the reply a4 prevents b5 but weakens the square b4
(although the knight can go to d4 instead). The open character of the position calls for the retain of the 2 bishops.

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. Bc4 Nf6 5. d3  c5   6.Nf3 Nc6

rnb1kb1r/pp2pppp/5n2/q1p5/2B5/2NP4/PPP2PPP/R1BQK1NR w KQkq - 0 6

typical maneuvering ...b6+Bb7+e6+Be7(Bd6)+0-0+Nd4+Qd8

games:
Martinez (2110) vs. Lorenzini (2484)

https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=3854329

Smith (2251) vs. Spain (2179)

https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=3101945

➢ Nf3 needs a waiting move (say ...c6): if followed by d3 then ...Bg4 is strong, if followed by d4, then ...Bf5 is the main line).

various non-critical lines

2.Nc3 (aiming in a caro-can-like position, but ...d4 changes the agenda)

Before analyzing the resulting postilions in detail, I would like to highlight two important themes that we will encounter throughout the
following section. The first is the possible undermining of Black's pawn center by means of c2-c3 and/or f2-f4. The second is the question of
how White plans to develop the bishop on f1. In general, he will look to develop this piece actively on c4 or b5. Both sides should be aware
that the departure of this piece from the f1 -a6 diagonal can often be met strongly by . . . d4-d3.

1.e4 d5 2.Nc3 d4 3.Nce2 (3.Nb1 e5 4.Bc4 Nf6 and now 5.Nf3 depriving white of f4 or 5.Ne2 permitting Na5 )e5 4.Ng3! Be6 (preventing Bc4)
5.Nf3 (5.c3 c5 https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=3032050 Spice(2184) vs. Kekki(2378)) f6(!) 6.Bb5 c6 7.Ba4 Na6 (!) 8.Bb3 Bxb3 (or
even better Nc5 9.BxB NxB)  9. axb3 d3   10.c3

and now 10...Nc5 or Qd7 . Typical is 0-0-0, g6, h5. There are mutual chances and a rich struggle.

➢ 4.f3?! Premature while undeveloped 4...Nc6 5.d3 Bg4!? 6.h3 Bh5 7.fxe Nxe 8.Bf4 f6 =

➢ 4.Nf3 f6!? 5.Ng3 Be6 6.Bb5+ (6.c3 d3!?, not c5 in this line) c6

➢ 5.c3!? c5!? (not d3 in this line) 6.Bb5+ Nd7 7.Nf3 f6 8.Qe2 Ne7 9.0-0 Qb6

2.e5 (Sicilian – Alapin)

Scandinavian-2.e5-frequently seen in internet tabiya 8

white has 3 main schemes:

a) f4+Nf3+d3+c3+Na3-c2 Black → Nc6+Bg4+e6+Nge7-f5+Be7 (with possible g5+h5+0-0-0)

b) c3+d4+Nf3 Black→ Nc6+Bf5+cxd+Bb4+Be4-g6+Nf5

c) Nf3+Bb5 Black→ Nc6+Bg4+(if h3)BxN+Ne7-f5+a6 etc

d) but also can play d4 immediately

b) 1.e4 d5 2.e5 c5 3.c3 Nc6 (or 3...Bf5, perhaps better) 4.d4 Bf5 (and NOT cxd, freeing the c3 for the Knight) 5.Nf3 e6

➢ 6.Bd3 Bg4

➢ 6.Be2 Qb6 or Nfe7

➢ 6.Bb5 Qb6

d) immediate d4
 1. e4 d5 2. e5 c5 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 (or Ne2 with complications, 4.Ne2 Nc6 5.Nxd4 Nxe5 6.Nb5 threatening Qxd4 ~) Nc6 5. Bb5
a6 6.BxNc6 axBc6 7.c4 e6 8.Nf3 c5 black is even better.

a) the f4 scheme, immediately or after d3

• 1. e4 d5 2. e5 c5 3. d3 Nc6 4. f4 Nh6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6.  Be2   
• 1. e4 d5 2. e5 c5 3. f4  (weakens the dark squares and the g1-a7 diagonal) Nc6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 e6 6. O-O  (6.h3 BxN 7.BxB Qh4+
wins) Nge7  and now 7.c3 Nf5 or 7.d3 Nf5.

r2qkb1r/pp2nppp/2n1p3/2ppP3/5Pb1/5N2/PPPPB1PP/RNBQ1RK1 w kq - 0 7

A possible plan is g5+h5+0-0-0.

french-type pawn structure white has 11(!) alternatives on move 3 the most frequent to be f4, c3, Nf3, d4, Bb5+.

breakthroughs: white f2-f4-f5, black ...f6, ...g5+Nxe5.

typical maneuvering : ...Ng-e7(h6)-f5+...h5 (-h4). c4 (if c3+d3), b5+a5. Several times black’s king stays on the center.

plans: at the center with pressure on the pawns, with ...f6 play along the f file, after f4 a possible plan is g5+h5+0-0-0. After c3+d4 black can
even play on the queen-side.

Sometimes black’s king may stay at the center, especially after ...h5, or even ...g5.

2.d4 dxe 3.Nc3 Nf6 (Blackmar gambit).

Whites idea is to open ‘f’ file and attack f7. So the maneuver Bf5-g6 is good.

light square strategy (typical Scandinavian Bf5+e6+c6) with an early ...Bf5 (or ...Bg4 if Bd3) and Qc7. Be ware of tactics on f7 (or even f5)

➢ 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. f3 exf3 5. Nxf3 Bf5 6. Bc4 e6 7. O-O Be7 8. Ne5 O-O 9.  g4   

rn1q1rk1/ppp1bppp/4pn2/4Nb2/2BP2P1/2N5/PPP4P/R1BQ1RK1 b - - 0 9

followed by ...BXc2 10.Qd2 Bg6 11.h4 Nbd7 with advantage

Liebs, Hannelore vs. Schmidt, Jessica (2239)

https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=327263
 ➢ or 5.Qxf3 (?! Ryder gambit) Qxd4 (that ‘s why Nf6 must be played before Bf5, in the game Bf5 played in move 15) 6.Be3 Qg4
7.Qf2 e5! (With the idea ...Bb4)

Kvakovszky, George (2025) vs. Cezila, Rubens (2163)

https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=4227751

2.Nf3

1. e4 d5 2. Nf3 dxe4 3. Ng5 Bf5 4. Nc3 Nf6 5. Bc4 e6 6. f3  Nc6 and if 7.fxe Nxe 8.Ncxe BxN 9.Nxe Qh4+

the point, taking advantage of the two loose pieces. Also good is 6...exf 7.Qxf Nc6 8.Bb5 (8.Nxf ?! Qd4 9.NxR QxB ) Qd7

black is better in all these variations.

4.b4 (Mieses gambit)

not dangerous but must know how to play

4...Qxb4 5.Rb1 Qd6! 6.Nf3 Nf6 7.d4 (threatens Nb5+Bf4) a6! (and not ...c6?!) and now

8.Bc4 e6 9.0-0 Be7 10.Re1 b5 11.Bb3 Bb7 12.Bg5 Nbd7 -+ (Martins)

or 8. Bd3 g6 9.0-0 Bg7 10.Ne5 0-0 (Haag)
✔ or 8.g3 (Bauer) b6 9.Bg2 Bb7 10.0-0 e6 11.Ne5 BxB 12.KxB Be7 13.Qf3 Ra7 14.Rd1 0-0 (Ivanets-Minakov, 2005)
-logical to exert pressure on b7 but black’s fianchetto neutralizes it. (but why b6 instead of b5?)

waiting white Bishop: if Bc4 then ...e6+Be7 , if Bd3 then ...g6+Bg7

tactical points Nb5+Bf4, Bxb7, Rb1-b3-g3(h3), but normal development suffice: e6+Be7+Nd7+b5+Bb7+0-0
✔ caution! There is a trap: Bc4+Nb5 and if ...Qa5+c6→ Bxf7+Qh5+QxQa5

Mieses gambit makes sense after Nf3+Be2 (when b7 is unprotected after Bf5), so then must be declined.
eg
4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Be2 Bf5 (?!, 5...c6) 6.b4 Qb6.

4.f4 (Bangiev’s move)

4...Nf6 5.Nf3 Bf5 6.Bc4 e6 7.d3 c6 8.0-0 Be7 9.Ne5 h5! 10.Qe2 Nbd7 11.Bd2 Qc7 12.Rae1 NxNe5 13.Qxe5 0-0-0 Martin-Wahls

there is a second set up with g6+Bg2+Nc6+Bg4(xNf3)+e6. white usually castles long.

6.Ne5 Be6 (planning +g6+Bg7 unless c4 is occupied right away)

6.Ne5 Be6 (! Martin) possible if black plays firstly c6 (before Bf5). Beware of the hole at d6!
✔ 7.Bc4 Bxc4 8.Nxc4 Qd8 (Qc7 permits Qf3+Bf4 and black looses a tempo or Qf5, or Qa6) 9.0-0 e6 10.Bg5 Be7 11.Re1 0-0
Chmelicek-Almond, 2005, https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=3259835

black must be cautious about the hole on d6-eg Qf3+Bf4 with some initiative.

✔ 7.Nc4 Bxc4 (Qc7!?) 8.Bxc4 e6 9.0-0 Bd6! (to prevent Qf3+Bf4)

Wengler-Stumpf, 2000, https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=595044

6.Ne5 Bf5 with 8.g4 so Black castles at the queen-side (Bauer)

tabiya 5

one of the main lines but not in club level. Emms calls it menacing-Martin says that is committal and if black survives the first wave of attack
is ok

➢ 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Nf3 c6 6. Ne5 Bf5 7. Bc4 e6 8. g4 Bg6 9. h4 ( or 9.Bd2 Nd7 10.Qe2 Bb4)

Nbd7 (Bauer writes that there are other alternatives, 10...Bb4 and 10...Bd6) 10. Nxd7 Nxd7 11. h5 Be4 12. Rh3  (12.0-0!? Bd5 )
9.Bd5 (or Bg2!?) 13. Bd3 O-O-O 14. Bd2 e5 (or 14...Qb6, Rublevsky-Lastin, 1995, Russia)
15. dxe5 Nxe5 16. Bf5 Kc7 17. Nxd5 Qxd5 18.  Bc3  Bb4 !? (Hossain-Saptarshi, 2004), and according to Martin Black is better
(threatening Qg2+Nf3+Rhe8)

3r1b1r/ppk2ppp/2p5/3qnB1P/6P1/2B4R/PPP2P2/R2QK3 b Q - 0 18

imbalances: space, uncastled king, 2 bishops

tactics:loose Rh3, Rd8 vs Qd1

➢ 12.0-0 Bd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Bd3 Bd6 (14...g6) 15.Bd2 Qb6 16.c3 0-0

r3k2r/pp1n1ppp/3bp3/q2p3P/3P2P1/3B4/PPP2P2/R1BQ1RK1 w kq - 2 15

imbalances:space, different semi-open files, 2 bishops

weaknesses: whit’s king-side +pawns, black’s king-side
plan: (minority attack?) King-side attack with 0-0-0+g6+Rf8+f5
 ➢ 7.g4 Be6 8. Bc4 Bxc4 9. Nxc4 Qc7 10. Qf3 Qd7 11. g5  Qxd4   

➢ 7.Bd3  Bxd3 8. Qxd3 Nbd7 9. Nxd7 Nxd7 10. O-O e6 11. Bf4 Nf6 12.  Be5

5.Bd2

(White hopes that the delayed development of the g -knight will give him some additional options)

Bauer-Prie suggests ...Bg4 6.f3 Bf5 7.g4 Bg6 8.f4 e6 9.f5!? With complications, not recommended. The typical ...c6 can be met by 6.Bc4 Bf5
7.Qe2 and if ...e6 8.d5! opening the center. Other idea is 7.Nd5 Qd8 8.NxN gxf6 9.Ne2!? when the knight may be able to make use of the
g3- or f4- squares. Another idea is Qf3-g3.

Caution: 5.Bd2 Bf5? 6.Qf3! +/-

In club level usually transposes to main line, with or without Nd5xf6. The only point to remember is that the lack of Nf3 permits g4!?, so Nf6
must precede Bf5.

6.Bd3

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 c6 5. Nf3 Nf6 6. Bd3 Bg4

with the idea 7.h3 Bh5-g6

7.Ne5

tabiya 5

The hasty jump of the king's knight to e5 is not to be feared either. It will generally be neutralized by the natural developing move

. . . Nbd7.

8.Νe5 9.Qe2 10.0-0-0

1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. d4 Nf6 5. Bc4 c6 6. Bd2 Qc7 7. Nf3 Bf5 8. Ne5 e6 9. Qe2 Nbd7 10. O-O-O Nb6 11. Bb3 O-O-
O 12. g4 Bg6 

2kr1b1r/ppq2ppp/1np1pnb1/4N3/3P2P1/1BN5/PPPBQP1P/2KR3R w - - 0 13
 4.Nf3 Nf6

4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Be2 c6 6.0-0 Bg4 7.b4 Qc7 8.b5 e6

Areschenko-Papaioannou, 2009

https://www.365chess.com/chess-games.php?
wlname=Areshchenko&wname=&openn=&blname=Papaioannou&bname=&eco=&yeari=&yeare=&sply=1&ply=&res=&submit_search=1

3.d4

By deferring the natural 3.Nc3, White is aiming to establish a pair of pawns on c4 and d4. This would control the center well, and often give
White an initiative linked to the d4-d5 push. This pawn tandem constitutes the focal point of the entire 3.d4/3.Nf3 complex, since it will also
provide Black with his main target for counter-play. White's two third moves will sometimes merge, but by starting with the development
of the king's knight White avoids the interesting 3 . . . e5. We will see over the course of the chapter that Black's most promising methods
against both moves will be based on quick development combined with pressure against the enemy center. In many cases, the presence of
opposite-sided castling will add an extra level of excitement to the already tense and unbalanced positions.

Martin gives a ?! both to 3.d4 and 4.dxe. In the contrary Bauers gives it as the main line, and considers the other moves inferior.

3...e5 is a gambit offer. White can accept it handling Black the initiative, or decline it : attacks the Queen-Nc3, defends the pawn-Nf3(Ne2,
avoiding the pin) or Be3, or even c3.

Black

But rather than moves is better to understand development schemes (precise calculation is absolutely necessary).

White will play Nc3+Nf3(Ne2)+Be3(Bd2)+Be2+0-0. Black will play Nc6+Nf6(Ne7)+Bb4+Bg4 (but not always, eg NOT when 4.Nf3) and
probably 0-0-0. After 4.Bf3 black must release the tension between the two pawns. White will try to exploit the exchanges to play
Nb5 (with Bf4). Perhaps the most tricky part is whether to play Bg4 or exd. Bauer almost always gives exd.

➢ 3.d4 e5 4.Nc3 ?!(looks unthematic hindering c4) Bb4 5.Nf3 exd 6.Qxd4 Qxd4 7.Nxd4 Ne7 (?), (Bauer =)

➢ 3.d4 e5 4.Nf3 !? exd (and NOT Bg4) 5.Nxd (or Qxd4 Qe6+ =, Stockfish) Bb4 (!?, depriving the knight from c3 square, and not
5...Nf6?, where the exchanges lead to an unfavorable endgame-Bauer), 6.c3 Bc5 7.Be3 Nf6 (Bauer, =) Zellweger -Droessler, 2002

➢ 3.d4 e5 4.dxe (main line-Bauer, for the pawn black has 3 tempo development moves and deprives white from castling) QxQd1+
(gambit, more ambitious than Qxe5+, where black must know what to do, Bauer) 5.KxQ Nc6 6.Bf4 (6.Nf3 Bg4, 6.f4 f6 ) Bf5 (or
Bc5) 7.c3 0-0-0+ 8.Nd2 Nge7 (aiming the Bf4-e5 complex) Bg3 9.h6 (Guezennec - Bratanov, 2003), or Ng6 (a real gambit, with
compensation, Tscharotschkin – Giacopelli, 2007).

➢ 3.d4 e5 4.Be3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.Be2 exd 7.Nc3 Bb4 8.0-0 Qh5 (Qd7 9.Nxd4 Bxe2 ,and white is a bit better according to Stockfish)
9.Nxd4 BxBe2 10.QxB QxQ 11.Ncxe2 Nxd4 12.Nxd4 0-0-0 13.c3 Bd6 with equality.

5.Be2+Bf4

1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qa5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Be2 c6 6.Nf3 Bf5 7.O-O e6 8.Ne5 Nbd7 9.Bf4 Nxe5 10.Bxe5 Nd7 11.Bg3 

equality

4.g3 (with the idea of a eventual b2-b4, which now becomes strong)
→
 -> Bd7-c6+Qh5+a6

Martin suggests not ...c6 (vulnerable to b4+a4+b5) but ...g6+Bg7 with either Qh5 and king-side attack, or c5+Nc6 and positional play. But
c6+Bf5+e5 is rather playable.
1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qa5 4. g3 Nf6 5. Bg2 g6 6. Nge2 Bg7 7. O-O O-O 8. d3 c5 9.  Bd2

✔ Bauer suggests Nc6+Bg4+0-0-0.

Or I play
1.e4 d5  2.exd5 Qxd5  3.Nc3 Qa5  4.g3 Bd7  5.Bg2 Bc6  6.Nf3 Nf6  7.O-O e6  8.a3 Nbd7  9.Rb1 Qh5  10.b4 a6 

plans:

white:a3+Rb1+b4 trying to harass the Bc6

black: Qh5+a6

Wege, Jochen (2295) vs. Munoz Pantoja, Miguel (2473)

https://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=4026086